An orphaned baby seal pup which hit the headlines after being found scared and surrounded by 30 cows in a field has been released back into the wild.
The baby harbour seal had been cared for by Natureland for the last 16 weeks and was released on the beach behind the Skegness seal sanctuary, Lincs, on October 13.
The pup, who was named Celebration after Natureland’s 50-year anniversary, was spotted in a muddy puddle at Frampton Marsh RSPB Reserve, Lincs.
The helpless five days old baby seal seemed doomed after it found itself lost in a creek back in July.
But she was saved by a birdwatcher, Ian Ellis, who spotted her plight through his telescope and contacted the reserve wardens and Natureland.
Mr Ellis was there to witness the pup he helped save get released back into the wild along with another seal, Charlie.
Nicky Yeadon, from Natureland, who also helped with the release, said the day was particularly special especially after Celebration had fought off a lung infection.
Nicky said: “I have been talking to Mr Ellis all the way through and I wanted to be there to see him release the seals.
“Celebration was really special because of the circumstances she was found in, it was really great to see them both released back into the wild.”
Nicky added: “Celebration wasn’t that keen to start with.
“But she did look back at Mr Ellis who came to release her as if to say thank you and she shuffled off – it was fantastic. We stayed and made sure they were both out sea nice and safely.
“It always makes us happy to see a scrawny seal come in and then to see it go out fat – we are very proud.”
Mr Ellis said before the release: “To see her finally leave the sanctuary shows that all the work of everyone has been worth it.
“If I had not been there who knows what could have happened, it could have been a lot worse, so I am happy it has finally happened.”
Natureland has helped to release 730 seals over the past 50 years.
